Cold Days, Warm Fireplace Memories

March 2, 2020

No matter, it is cold outside. Freezing actually.

Sometimes that is a good thing.

A romantic thing.

A soothing and soul refreshing experience, especially if you are inside by the fireplace.

A friend in our circle used to actually look forward to the winter so she and her family could warm themselves by the fireplace, look out of their front window which was canopied with trees and watch the rain gently fall.

Time seemed to temporarily slow down.

It was such a beautiful and memorable setting.

The smoke would gently saunter up the chimney.

Chimneys were invented in northern Europe in the 11th or 12th centuries and largely fixed the problem of fumes, more reliably venting smoke outside. They made it possible to give the fireplace a draft, and also made it possible to put fireplaces in multiple rooms in buildings conveniently. They did not come into general use immediately, however, as they were expensive to build and maintain.

During the Middle Ages, smoke canopies were invented to prevent smoke from spreading through a room and vent it out through a wall or roof. These could be placed against stone walls, instead of taking up the middle of the room, and this allowed smaller rooms to be heated.

Time changes everything.

Fireplaces, though healthy for the soul, have proved to be unhealthy for you and the environment.

Organizations like the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington Department of Ecology warn that, according to various studies, fireplaces can pose a significant health risk.

The EPA writes “Smoke may smell good, but it’s not good for you.”

The Washington Department of Ecology also published a booklet explaining why wood smoke can be dangerous. It explains that human lung and respiratory systems are unable to filter particles emitted by wood combustion, which penetrate deeply into the lungs. For months, cancer-causing chemicals can continue to cause changes and structural damage within the respiratory system.

Young children, seniors, pregnant women, smokers and individuals with respiratory disorders are most vulnerable. Wood smoke can cause disease and even death in children because it is associated with lower respiratory tract infections.

That is really sad because for those of us who have enjoyed the fireplace for years, there is nothing quite like it during cold wintery nights.

Like many industries the green movement is bringing about positive change.

As shared at greenplanetusa.com, “There are three popular alternatives to burning wood:  gas fireplace inserts, alcohol fireplace inserts, and electric fireplace inserts. All are great alternatives whether or not you have a working chimney and hearth inside your home.”

The informative team at outsidemodern.com adds, “Ethanol Fireplaces have a large number of positive attributes that make them an increasingly attractive choice for today’s buyers. With no installation costs, an environmentally-friendly fuel, no requirement for venting, no need to purchase wood, season it, and store it, these units can be an excellent, convenient choice for both indoor and outdoor fire features!”

We would hate to see the fireplace become an option whose time has passed.

A visiting writer shares her view on alternatives.

Anastasia Davidson has an eye for modern, unique home decor. She is an expert in modern fireplaces.

The 5 Benefits of Ethanol Fireplaces

Brrr! Whether you’re in the middle of winter, or the nights drop down to chilly temperatures, you might need a source of heating in your house. There are several ways to raise the temperature, of course. But some are better than others. One of the best ways to raise your home’s temperature is with an eco-friendly, modern and portable ethanol fireplaces.

Before you reach for more blankets, turn up the thermostat, or go out and grab some logs to add to your traditional log-burning fireplace, you’ll probably want to invest in a bio-ethanol fireplace instead. The benefits of ethanol fireplaces are endless, but just in case you need a little extra motivational push to invest in one for your home, here are five reasons why you should get an ethanol fireplace:

1. MODERN DESIGN

Adding an ethanol fireplace to your home is a great way of adding a touch of class and character to your home without being outrageously expensive. In many cases, the types of ethanol fireplaces on the market are so varied and ornate, you are bound to find the perfect one that suits your home or apartment.

If you have a home with lots of decorations and character already, you may decide to opt for a more simple yet modern bio-ethanol fireplace. Or, on the other hand, if your home is a little plain (e.g. if you’re a renter, live in an apartment, etc.) and want to add some touches to make it your own and feel more “homey”, then an ethanol fireplace will probably do the trick.

Since apartments often have many restrictions on what you can and can’t do, adding a portable ethanol fireplace is a great way to add some character while also being a practical, cost-effective source of heating.

2. GREAT SOURCE OF SUPPLEMENTAL HEAT

We all know that fireplaces can be great sources of heat. Traditional fireplaces that use wood logs have been around for a long, long time and have served as the primary source of heat for many households. Fortunately, there is a new alternative that is less heavy to breathe in, has fewer emissions that release into the air and degrade air quality, and also is a superior source of heat.

HOW DO BIO-ETHANOL FIREPLACES BEAT OUT STANDARD, LOG-BURNING FIREPLACES?

Well, traditional, log-burning fireplaces that are built into homes require a “flue”. A flue is used to help ventilate and release the smoke that is produced when the logs are burned. If the smoke from the wood is not released from your home, it presents all kinds of dangers, including a risk of fire due to improper ventilation, as well as respiratory system problems from breathing in all that smoke. Thus, a flue is needed to prevent these problems. However, flues often allow the heat that’s produced to escape.

So in effect, you’re not getting as much “bang for your buck” with a traditional chimney fireplace that uses longs as it’s fuel source. Fortunately, bio-ethanol fireplaces exist and are able to sit inside just about any home or apartment without a ventilation system due to it being smoke-free and not releasing hard to breathe air pollutants.

3. CLEAN AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

If you’re looking for a clean and sustainable way to heat your home, bio-ethanol heaters serve as a great alternative means of doing so. Since we only have one planet earth, we want to take care of her as much as possible. By making the switch to ethanol fireplaces from the log burning ones, you’re already doing a great deal of good for the environment.

This is because bio-ethanol fireplaces don’t emit smoke. In fact, ethanol fireplaces use ethanol, commonly known as ethyl alcohol as it’s fuel source.

How is ethyl alcohol made? The process is quite simple actually. This gas, which produces virtually no carbon dioxide, is made from fermented plants, like corn, switchgrass, and sugarcane.

The carbon dioxide released from burning this byproduct of these plants is negligible. To put it in perspective, the amount of CO2 that’s released is proportionately about the same amount that humans exhale when we breathe.

4. MINIMAL INSTALLATION COSTS

One of the greatest benefits of investing in an ethanol fireplace? Absolutely no installation fees. Most of the units you buy are likely to be independent and can rest on the floor, on a table, etc. without having to be inserted into a wall or embedded anywhere (although, those options do exist). Therefore, all you’re really paying for is the fireplace unit and some fuel and you’re good to go!

Contrastingly, with a wood burning fireplace, you often need to buy an expensive fireplace and then have it anchored into your home and construct the flue so that the smoke can be released. Or, on the other hand, if you are using a boiler or radiator, they are known for having several starting costs and require lots of maintenance, which can add up quickly.

That’s why ethanol fireplaces are the perfect, low-cost solution. They are very durable and last for long periods of time without any trouble because they are made out of sturdy stainless steel which is very durable and long-lasting. Additionally, if your ethanol fireplace does run into any trouble 20, 50 or 100 years down the line, you can just re-purchase a new unit because it is not structurally attached to your house. Problem solved. No expensive maintenance or remodeling needed.

5. EASY TO USE AND MAINTAIN

Again, ethanol fireplaces are so easy to use and maintain. They don’t emit any damaging particles or gasses and don’t leave any charcoal behind that’s hard to clean up and can discolor and corrode your fireplace. Because the flames are virtually free of emissions and there is no residue left behind, your ethanol fireplace is sure to serve you for many years to come.

Heat is a modern necessity. We need it in the colder months and during the nights when the temperature drops down. Instead of huddling up in tons of blankets, uncomfortably trying to insulate your body heat and also using ineffective, harmful ways to heat your home, why not take the natural approach? Bio-ethanol fireplaces look great and add character while keeping you nice and toasty without any harmful effects.

http://www.ModernBlaze.com has hundreds of modern ethanol fireplaces to choose from.

You can save 5% on your purchase and get FREE shipping with the code MB5.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireplace

https://greenplanetusa.com/energy-efficient-alternatives-to-a-wood-burning-fireplace/

https://www.outsidemodern.com/do-ethanol-fireplaces-produce-heat/

https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Anastasia_Davidson/2426085

http://EzineArticles.com/9723735

https://fciwomenswrestling.com/

https://www.fcielitecompetitor.com/

https://grapplingstars.com/